Fabulous 4th

We had a fun and relaxing 4th of July weekend hardly doing a single house project at all which is huge for us. Josh and Colton went to a Nascar race in Daytona on the 3rd and didn't get home until nearly 4:30 the next morning due to a major rain delay in the race so those two sleepy heads slept for half of the day. When they finally were rested enough to party we went over to Pam and Al's for their yearly 4th get together. It was just as fun as always and keeping with tradition it rained for some of it too. Fantastic food, fun volleyball games, and fabulous friends to spend this special holiday with.

Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. I'm going to seriously try to get better about posting more regularly, at least once a week. It will get easier I hope when I don't have to use Josh's computer anymore. I just need to get better about recording these moments in our life all together as they only seem to be going by faster and faster as time goes on.

Maggie was the least bit impressed by the fireworks we did at home and cried through most of them but she really seemed to enjoy the big fireworks put on by Stuart and couldn't take her eyes off of them.

The three big kids all helped make a tissue paper flag which we displayed on our fridge.

all about the red white and blue or I guess I should say the blue white and red

It is so fascinating how fire shows up in photography at night.

You can totally tell that the kids were not into photo taking. Before climbing into the car to go to the party I made them sit by the pond for pictures. To add to their antsy pants it was also drizzling out.

But Maggie Mae sure did look patriotic in her star dress that Grandma got for her. She's becoming such a ham for the camera and I love it!


Some of Gayle Harrell's grand kids who were here visiting from San Fransisco.


Gracie and I made a layered red, white and blue cake for the second year in a row to bring to the party. It barely stayed standing during the drive over and did shift a bit but somehow hung in there. I have plans to improve upon it for next years party though.

Fun on the 4th

The fourth was a much needed fun and relaxing day for us spent with friends and family. The day was filled with volleyball, lots eating and swimming and of course fireworks!

our sweet friend at church miss Cathy bought the kids these festive shirts

daddy loves to play some volleyball

and this little guy loves to swim!

pals and cousins Colton and Ava

sweet little miss Kaya

uncle b. gives the kids fun rides!

and this sweet, sweet girl is our friend Zoe. remember her from this post here?

Gracie just couldn't get enough of her. baby Maggie better look out!

the flag cake tradition

the blue turned out a bit lighter than I'd hoped but it sure was yummy!

C & G anxiously awaiting the rain to stop so we could get out of the car and see the fireworks!

last night we just (finally) finished up the last of the sparklers. we sure had a fun fourth and are now looking foward to celebrating next year with our newest little firework!